Thursday, July 17, 2008

Kew Gardens eatery serves up rotten tomato

On June 30th, 2008, digging began on 82nd Avenue in Kew Gardens, Queens, NY for a 21 story hotel and residential unit. The construction surprised many in the neighborhood and would change the nature of the community for those who live there. There are valid arguments against the construction of this structure as proposed, including the impact of having a 21 story combination hotel and residential building on a block where traffic is already an issue, a school exists around the corner, parking nearby would become even more difficult, and the construction can compromise the foundation of adjoining buildings.

Traffic studies have not been done. Recommended engineering procedures have been ignored and permits for building have been granted after being denied three times. No explanation has been given for the granting of permits this time.

Much was done in secrecy and now neighbors and residents are told the construction is a done deal.

This video is in two parts and was recorded July 8, 2008, at the first demonstration to stop the construction and inform the neighborhood about the construction plans and how it would adversely affect the equity and way of life for those who live nearby.

To get involved with helping to preserve Kew Gardens and a working middle class neighborhood that deserves to be there, contact:

8 comments:

"On June 30th, 2008, digging began on 82nd Avenue in Kew Gardens, Queens, NY for a 21 story hotel and residential unit."

No surprise. The Queens Boulevard corridor is zoned for as-of-right large-scale construction. Are you aware it is the widest street in the city, has some of the city's highest capacity road, rail and bus links, and already is lined with tons of big buildings, many much taller than 21 floors?

"The construction surprised many in the neighborhood and would change the nature of the community for those who live there."

What's with the surprise? It isn't the first, nor will it be the last, and address-specific construction details are all publicly posted every day on the DOB website.

"There are valid arguments against the construction of this structure as proposed, including the impact of having a 21 story combination hotel and residential building on a block where traffic is already an issue,"

The presence of existing traffic has no bearing on this project. If it was a quiet block, you would complain that the building would ruin the peace. Now you claim it is busy, so nothing can be built.

"a school exists around the corner,"

Are you saying apartments can't be built near schools? If there was no school, you would use it as an excuse to oppose the building.

"parking nearby would become even more difficult,"

This is NYC. 60% of households don't own cars. If you hate on-street parking, then pay for off-street parking or use transit like the rest of us.

"and the construction can compromise the foundation of adjoining buildings."

Um, yes, it can, but that's true of any construction or renovation anywhere on earth. Are you proposing a worldwide ban on construction?

"Traffic studies have not been done."

Developers don't have to do traffic studies. If you want developers to do traffic studies, then try and change the laws. Asking the developer to do a voluntary traffic study makes as much sense as asking the new store down the block to do a voluntary traffic study.

"Recommended engineering procedures have been ignored"

Um, the developer is not taking your "recommendations"? Boo-hoo. Are you willing to take his recommendations? I doubt it!

"and permits for building have been granted after being denied three times."

This is true on every site in the city. Permits are always denied a bunch of times before final approval. Would you prefer less stringent DOB review?

"No explanation has been given for the granting of permits this time."

Jeez, go to the DOB website. Every permit has an explanation.

"Much was done in secrecy"

Huh? The developer has no obligation to personal inform you of his business dealings. Do you care to tell all of us about your business dealings?

"and now neighbors and residents are told the construction is a done deal."

Likely because it is as-of-right, which means you are just wasting everyone's time.

"This video is in two parts and was recorded July 8, 2008,"

You have time to videotape construction sites? I guess the work and family life isn't too hot, eh?

"at the first demonstration to stop the construction"

I doubt the developers care. If it's financed and as-of-right, it's a done deal. Even if it isn't, they aren't going to stop because a neighbor is mad about a blocked view or fewer parking spaces for their SUVs.

"and inform the neighborhood about the construction plans and how it would adversely affect the equity and way of life for those who live nearby."

Hmm, seems a bit presumptous, no? Obviously, you aren't informing people but misleading them. I have no idea what you mean about "equity" or "way of life". The world will be more "equitable" if you tie up a construction site in litigation? Hey, whatever floats your boat. I doubt the other neighbors care. They probably have work, families, and fufilling lives.

"To get involved with helping to preserve Kew Gardens and a working middle class neighborhood that deserves to be there, contact:"

Not sure what you mean by a "working middle class neighborhood" and "deserves to be there". Hope this isn't your first language. Is Kew Gardens middle class or working class? How will one new building make it less so? Who or what "deserves to be there"? Are you the master of the neighborhood?

"email: courtviewowners@hotmail.com"

HA! So the email shows you are living in a similarly huge apartment building! Since you are so opposed to big buildings, maybe you will voluntarily vacate your structure, for all of the "reasons" you have outlined above!

Dear original anon poster you missed the point entirely. While admire your defense of the developer and are quick to lump the KG community as NIMBY minded, you failed to miss the greater picture. While KG recognizes the "as-of-right" nature of the development the opposition is due to the adverse impact it will have on the community.

While I understand your clever remark regarding the lack of a traffic study, that is the perfect example of a developer who doesn't have the neighborhoods interest in mind. Secondly the project is wedged between the pasta lovers and the adjacent co-op with the entrance slated to be on a one way street, and not on QB proper.

Secondly members of the KG community not living adjacent to the project also stand in opposition to this hotel being thrust upon our community. It's easy to peg the community into a pigeonhole but you're mistaken on all counts.

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